About Us and Our Story
The UC Berkeley Armenian Alumni is comprised of graduates, former students, and faculty of UC Berkeley. The purpose of our organization is to promote and support Armenian studies at UC Berkeley, and to contribute to the many enriching activities of the Bay Area Armenian community. Some of the activities of the UCBAA include fundraising for the Armenian Studies Program at Berkeley, organizing lectures and other academic or social events, and providing scholarship programs. Eligible alumnus can become a member of the UCBAA for $75 per year. Associate membership may be granted to those who have not attended the University upon paying the membership fee. For more information about the UCBAA and our structure, click below to download our Club Bylaws and Official Charter (PDF):
In November of 1975, about 75 Cal Armenian Alumni from the 40's and early 50's gathered together for a reunion at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. The enthusiastic response of the alums inspired the ad hoc committee to expand its goals. Plans were made for further reunions and for a student scholarship. A second reunion, open to Armenian Alumni of all decades, was held in March of 1978. Professor Ben Bagdikian was the guest speaker. With money raised from the dinner and contributions from generous alumni, we were able to offer a $500 reward to a deserving student of Armenian descent. The requirements for the award were announced to UC Berkeley students and in Armenian-American weeklies. By this time, the California Alumni Association had heard about our Armenian Alumni gatherings and asked us if we would consider becoming a chartered club within the California Alumni Association. In the summer of 1979, the UC Berkeley Armenian Alumni's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were submitted to and accepted by the California Alumni Association Executive Board. The Association's representative, Cindy Arnot, presented a Blue and Gold Cal banner to our newly chartered group in November 1979.
(excerpt from the Fall 1980 UCBAA Newsletter)
The UCBAA Emblem:
Since inception, UCBAA has been visually represented by Mount Ararat, an icon of Armenian culture and history, and UC Berkeley's Campanille clock tower.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary as a chartered alumni chapter, our emblem went through a major redesign in 2019. The current emblem shown below was designed by Gabriel Yeganyan '11, a concept artist based in the Los Angeles area.
